§ 2. Mr. HANNONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the total value of contracts recently placed by the victualling department of the Admiralty for the supply of meat to the Fleet and to shore establishments; and whether preference was given to meat offered from Overseas Dominions as against foreign countries?
Mr. ALEXANDERContracts for meat are constantly being placed by the Admiralty. In only one recent instance has meat of foreign origin been purchased—namely, a contract for corned beef. The total value of the contract placed was approximately £22,000, and the additional cost which would have been involved in taking Dominion beef Was too large to justify placing the order with the Dominion packers.
§ Mr. HANNONWould the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what was the actual difference in the tenders?
§ Mr. HANNONWhat general policy do the Admiralty pursue in accepting tenders in these circumstances? Do they definitely give preference to Dominion supplies?
Mr. ALEXANDERAll other things being equal, such as continuity of supplies, date of delivery and quality of goods, if there is only a small margin between the foreign price and the Dominion or Home price, we give the preference to the Dominion or Home tender, but in this case the margin was far too large, and I could not possibly mulct the taxpayer with the difference.
§ Mr. HANNONCan we know the margin of difference?